Safeguarding & Support
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At The Ranch, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
We take our duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people extremely seriously. Every young person has the right to feel safe, heard, respected and supported, and we work closely with families, schools, social care, health professionals and other agencies to help protect children and promote their wellbeing.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All members of our team are expected to remain professionally curious, to listen carefully to young people, and to act promptly if they are worried about a child’s safety, welfare or wellbeing.
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Our Safeguarding Leads
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Iain Woodbridge — Level 3 Safeguarding Trained
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Sheryl Dyer (RGN) — Level 3 Safeguarding Trained
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Our safeguarding leads support staff through advice, supervision, training and clear reporting procedures. Concerns are recorded and responded to in line with our safeguarding and child protection policy, and we work with statutory partners whenever further support or action is needed.
The Ranch encourages our young people to have a voice. Around our setting and across all of our sites, we display posters and QR codes for young people to feel at ease to raise a concern, and who they can turn to. We also use the ClassDojo system to communicate any important issues or updates in a child centred way.
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If you require urgent assistance or advice and guidance please use the following links, email addresses or telephone numbers below or refer to the organisations offering support.
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If you are worried about a child
If you believe a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.
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For concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child living in Dorset, contact:
Dorset Council Family Support and Advice Line
01305 228558
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Out-of-hours emergencies
01305 221000
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Concerns about an adult working with children
If there is a concern or allegation about an adult working with children, this should be referred to the appropriate safeguarding lead and, where required, to the Local Authority Designated Officer.
Dorset LADO
01305 221122
lado@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
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Chesil Locality Team: 01305 762400 chesillocality@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk (for Early Help and access to a range of support)​
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Policies
Our safeguarding and child protection policy can be downloaded, alongside all of our key policies and procedures, available through the Policies section of our website.
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Our policies are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current guidance, safer working practice and our commitment to safeguarding children and young people.
Young people’s voice
We want every young person at The Ranch to know that their voice matters.
Across our sites, we use child-friendly safeguarding information, posters, QR codes and trusted adult conversations to help young people understand who they can speak to if they feel worried, unsafe, overwhelmed or unsure. We encourage young people to talk, write things down, use visuals, or communicate in the way that feels safest for them.
We know that some children find it difficult to say things out loud. Our team are trained to notice changes, listen without judgement, and respond calmly and appropriately.
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Online safety and digital wellbeing
Phones, apps and online spaces can help young people feel connected, but they can also bring pressure, anxiety, bullying, unsafe contact or worries about images and messages being shared.
We support young people to understand online safety, healthy boundaries and trusted routes for help. This includes encouraging young people to speak to a safe adult if something online feels frightening, uncomfortable, controlling or unsafe.
You are not in trouble for asking for help. If something has happened online, there are people who can support you.
Safer Internet: 0344 800 2382 www.saferinternet.org.uk
NSPCC: 0800 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
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Mental health and wellbeing support
Kooth
Kooth provides free, safe and anonymous online mental health and wellbeing support for young people. Kooth says its support is delivered in partnership with the NHS and includes live text chat with qualified counsellors or trained practitioners.
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Childline
Childline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Young people can call 0800 1111 for free or use online 1-2-1 chat.
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Shout
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258. Shout 85258
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Samaritans
For emotional support at any time, call 116 123 for free. Samaritans
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HOPELINE247 / Papyrus
For young people experiencing thoughts of suicide, or for anyone worried about a young person, call 0800 068 4141, text HOPE to 88247, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org. nhs.uk
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Runaway Helpline: 0800 800 7070 www.runawayhelpline.org.uk
Anxiety UK: 08444775774 www.anxietyuk.org
MIND: 0300 123 3393 www.mind.org.uk
Bereavement UK: 0800 634 9494 www.bereavement.co.uk
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NHS urgent mental health support
If it is not a 999 emergency but urgent mental health help is needed, contact NHS 111.
Dorset HealthCare also lists Connection, a Dorset-wide 24/7 NHS mental health support helpline, on 0800 652 0190. Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust
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CAMHS Dorset
CAMHS supports children and young people up to the age of 18 who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties. Dorset HealthCare explains that young people aged 16 to 18 who are registered with a GP can self-refer to CAMHS, and parents or carers can also speak to professionals such as a GP, teacher, school nurse or social worker about referral routes.
CAMHS: 01305 762810 www.camhsdorset.org (Child and adolescent mental health service)
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Video Guides
Age Restrictions
County Lines
We get it — apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat can feel like your main link to friends, fun, and staying in the loop. Group chats and snap streaks can be exciting and help you feel connected, especially when things feel tough. Social media can be a space to express yourself, share your world, and be part of something bigger. But sometimes, it can also feel like too much. Messages coming in non-stop, pressure to reply straight away, or things being said that make you feel uncomfortable or left out — it can really affect how you feel about yourself and others.
You don’t have to be online all the time to stay connected. It's okay to step back, mute chats, or take a break if it’s getting too much. You have the right to set boundaries and feel safe in your digital space. And if you ever feel like someone’s shared something of you online without your permission — or you’re just not sure how to deal with something that’s happened — there’s help available. You can visit Report Remove (by Childline and the IWF) to take action and get support. You’re not alone — and you deserve to feel safe, respected, and in control, both online and off.
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Parents/Carers: Talk About It
Open and regular conversations about your child’s activity on WhatsApp are a great way to minimise potential harms and keep them safe when using the platform.
Talking with your child about what they are using WhatsApp for is valuable because it can create a safe space in which they feel comfortable in sharing any concerns they have.
Once this dialogue and trust has been established, it will make it easier for them to come to you with any issues they encounter while using WhatsApp
Our Policy can be downloaded by clicking the button below and also via our Policies tab above.
All of our policies and procedures can be found on our website.
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Belonging
LGBTQIA+
The Ranch is a welcoming space that embraces diversity and education. We are proud to be lgbtqia+ supportive and inclusive of all. ​​
We have a duty to make sure that our Tribe are not discriminated against because they are LGBTQIA+.
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We believe every young person should feel accepted, respected and safe to be themselves. We are committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and creating a culture where difference is understood, supported and valued.
We are LGBTQIA+ supportive and inclusive. The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination, including in relation to sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
Useful support links may include Stonewall Young Futures, The Proud Trust and Mermaids for young people, families and professionals looking for LGBTQ+ information and support
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LGBTQIA+ History Month
Useful Links
www.youngstonewall.org.uk – This website has helpful advice and information. If you need to talk to someone, checkout the Stonewall information service.
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www.theproudtrust.org/for-young-people – The Proud Trust are a charity who support LGBTQ+ youth
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https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/about-us – Specific information about Transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse support